Bear with me for a moment as I proceed to attempt to explain all that happened in our Dominican Republic location last week: 226 volunteers, 7 homes, Hurricane Matthew, medical clinics, dental clinics, eye clinics, sports ministry, house 5,000, women's ministry, an all women build, trauma relief counseling, and that doesn't even take into account all of the local pastors' ministries that were strengthened and all of the man hours put in by Northside Christian Church of New Albany's staff, Centro Cristiano's staff (our ministry partner), and our very own Casas por Cristo staff. Wow, is all I can say.
The staff of Northside Christian Church had a dream to offer a mission trip that would resonate with the whole family. As they prayed, planned, and cast the vision over their church, the mega mission trip was born, a trip where almost anyone could get plugged in and use their gifts for the Lord. After a year of scouting trips, planning, and problem solving, the week of the mega mission trip had arrived. We were ready, not only to facilitate 226 people, but also ready with anticipation to see all the Lord had in store for his people.
From the beginning, Satan tried to stand against us as Hurricane Matthew blew through the Dominican Republic and Haiti, but thankfully the storm did not touch us. Our group was located in between the two fronts in the only sliver of white in the photo above. The group pushed on, most not even realizing the severity of the storm around them.
It was easy to see God working, not only in the Dominican communities, but also in the lives of the team members. One volunteer wrote the following.
"This was my first mission trip, and I thought I knew what to expect because I have watched my husband go on mission trips to Guatemala for the past five years. Until you go on a mission trip, you are missing out on an incredible blessing watching God work in so many different lives and in so many ways. It is an overwhelming experience with lots of emotion, cultural differences, and watching God work through us and in us."
After a year of planning, the mega mission trip was over just as suddenly as it had begun. As a result, women and girls alike began to see and believe their worth is not what they can give but who they are in the Lord. Pastors were given the training they needed to counsel those in the midst of trauma. Seven families were given the free gift of a home and several gave their lives to Christ for the very first time. House 5,000 was built marking a momentous milestone in the history of Casas por Cristo. Countless Dominicans young and old received free medical attention, mirroring Christ's example of meeting a physical need so that a spiritual need could also be met. And the spark for service in the Kingdom of God was ignited in the hearts of the Northside team.
Please be in prayer for our Dominican pastors as they continue to walk alongside and disciple all of the people impacted by this last week. Like I said before, God is moving despite Satan's best efforts. He proved over and over that his hand was upon us. Also, please pray for the 226 Northsiders as they go back to their "normal" lives so that they can continue to live out their faith in a meaningful way.
